Kevin Love Believes He’s the NBA’s Best Power Forward

Kevin Love is putting up monster numbers yet again (25.4 points, 15 rebounds a night), and tells ESPN Radio that he’s the League’s best power forward: “How much better of a player are you now compared to two years ago? ‘I’m a much better player. Not only what I do physically, but my mind as well. My mind has grown. My game is a lot further along than it was in the past. I do feel like I’m a lot better and more active on the court.’ Is there anyone in particular that gets the bulk of the credit? Your trainer, Rob McClanaghan, in L.A.? Someone here? ‘It’s an influx of people that get a lot of credit. I feel like I’m still the one that has to go out and do the work. But I give a lot of credit to the people working with me. Greatness surrounds itself with greatness. With Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose, at times Joakim Noah and Al Horford, to be around those guys in the summer has really improved my game. I’m hoping I help improve them as well.’ Who’s the best ‘4’ in the league: you or Blake Griffin? ‘I believe I’m the best ‘4’ in the league. I think you have to believe that you’re the best. I think Mohammad Ali even said, ‘I was the greatest before I knew I was.’ I think everybody needs to have that mindset. That’s part of winning the mind game from the very start. You have to believe it. You have to hold yourself accountable.’ When you wake up on the morning of Jan. 26, will you have a long-term contract in hand? ‘I don’t know. I don’t know the answer to that at this point. It’s all in my agent’s hands (Jeff Schwartz). People can speculate and say what they want, but I will just go out there, play basketball, and help this team win.’ […] If they present you with the maximum, do you sign it? ‘It’s all in my agent’s hands. I just don’t know what I am going to do. I’m happy to be a Timberwolf at this point and happy we’re winning games.'”